- Qatar edition will be a standout event: FIBA president
The FIBA's Central Board had announced its decision after evaluating the files submitted by the candidate countries. Qatar was the most prominent choice to host the 2027 edition of the tournament, which will be held for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa region.
FIBA's Central Board enumerated the reasons that prompted it to favour the Qatari file, including, but not limited to, exceptional facilities owned by Qatar, its great keenness to develop sports, in general, and basketball, in particular, in addition to the huge balance that Qatar possesses in hosting major sports tournaments.
FIBA President Hamane Niang noted: "The Central Board was impressed by the submission made by Qatar Basketball Federation. I would like to congratulate them on behalf of the Board for the quality of the work they have already completed in putting this bid together. We are very happy to be able to award the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 to Qatar.
“While we are all looking forward to what we know will be another standout FIBA event when the action starts in Qatar, we will also enjoy the full journey to Doha. The qualification path to the World Cup has been a great success since its introduction in 2017, and we will be ready once again to follow all the action.”
The Qatari file attaches special importance to the legacy plans in order to emphasise the tournament's contribution to the development of basketball in the region and the world. And in light of the readiness of the sports facilities that will host the 2027 Basketball World Cup, this version of the tournament will become the most sustainable version in its history.
Qatar continues its strong record in hosting major sporting events, after winning the right to host the FIBA World Cup 2027.
Qatar's streak of hosting major sporting events is set to continue after organising the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, as the country gears up to organise the 2023 FIFA Asian Cup for the third time in its history after 1988 and 2011 as well as the 21st Asian Games in 2030, for a second time. Doha first hosted it in 2006.
Qatari basketball has a long history, as the Qatar Basketball Association was established in 1964 and joined international and regional federations. It joined the International Basketball Federation in 1973 and the Asian Federation in 1979.
The first achievement of Qatari basketball was winning the AFC U-17 Youth Championship title, which Qatar hosted as the first Asian championship on its soil in 1988. The Qatar youth team also qualified for the 1999 FIBA World Cup, which was held in Portugal, where Qatar achieved the 10th place. It also qualified for the World Championship in 2000 when it was crowned the third Asian Championship title. Qatar also won the gold medal in the Arab Games hosted by Doha in 2011.
At the level of 33 basketball, Qatar won the 2014 FIBA World Championship. It also won the FIBA World Youth Championship (under the age of 18) in 2016 and topped the world rankings for three consecutive years. The Qatari national youth team also won the Gulf Championship title, with the national team advancing to the main qualifiers for the FIBA Asia Cup in 2025.
The basketball stars (men and women), under 23 years old, qualified for the Basketball World Cup, and the two teams (boys and girls), under 18 years old, qualified for the World Championship, which will be held in Hungary in August 2023.
